We meet once a month and discuss the book we chose between us at the previous meeting. We try not to stick to a particular genre or type, and suggestions from all members are welcome – and more importantly – acted upon.

We met on 31st July and discussed Clair Tomalin’s “A Life of My Own”. The overall consensus was that she had a gilded life with more than its share of tragedy, but that she cannot (or chooses not to) convey her emotions and feelings very well, and none of us felt we knew her any better at the end of the book, than we did at the beginning, so a bit disappointing. But we enjoyed the reading the book.

Next meeting’s book is a very different thing, and is totally non-fiction:-

“The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee, suggested by Teresa. It was nominated for Book of The Year by The New York Times, The Economist, The Independent, The Observer and The Mail on Sunday.

Quoting, “Mukherjee has a knack for storytelling. As he takes us through the history of genetics, we become gripped by the dramatic stories of how the scientific discoveries unfolded and the intriguing characters that were involved. This brief overview of the gene tells you what you need to know.”

We shall be meeting on Tuesday 17th September in Bavo at 8 o’clock. [Bavo is next door but three to the de Beauvoir Arms, in Southgate Road].

You really should have read the book.

Julie has suggested “Jagua Nana” by Cyprion Ekwensi as the subsequent book. It was first published in 1961 and was re-published in 1975 as part of the Heineman African Writers series. Jagua is one racy lady.

You can tell when I start quoting – The novel offers an exquisite critique of neo-urbanite Nigerian society through Jagua, the central intelligence in the novel through whose eyes one may perceive other characters and events.